Wednesday, June 14, 2017

A Celebrated New Orleans Chef's Charming Creole Cottage — House Tour

Name:Emily and Alon Shaya and pups Henri and Ceci ("garbanzo bean" in Italian)Location: Bayou St. John — New Orleans, LouisianaSize: 1,200 square foot original creole cottage with a 900 square foot addition.Years lived in: 5 years, owned (4 years prior to renovation, 1 year post-renovation)

The entrance to Alon and Emily's home is bursting with life. Crisp white flower boxes overflow with color and a wall of lush greenery towers over a side gate, arching towards a tangerine-colored front door. The couple's beloved canines, Henri and Ceci greet me with wagging tails and lead the way down a long outdoor side hall into an open kitchen and dining room. A big antique farm table and bench from Emily's childhood home in Georgia are at the center of the airy, sun-filled space. An Art Deco leather settee and a pair of vintage rattan chairs, nestled perfectly between two windows, create an inviting little conversation nook. Entertaining is in this couple's DNA, and it's what inspired their home's renovation a year ago.